SPCA raid uncovers 77 animals in Philadelphia home
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
A woman's home in Northeast Philadelphia has been condemned after more than 70 animals animals were discovered inside yesterday. WHYY's Megan Pinto reports.
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The Pennsylvania SPCA had no idea what to expect when they were called to Paula Gibson's home after receiving an anonymous tip about a strong smell coming from the property.
Inside, they found 77 animals – among them were cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, a turtle and a hamster living in rooms covered in urine and feces.
SPCA Spokesman George Bengal calls the conditions inside the self-proclaimed animal rescuer's home deplorable.
Bengal: It's hard to tell by how many animals you see on the outside. Once you make entries into these properties that's a lot of times you get very surprised by the sheer numbers. I mean every room in the house had animals stacked up along with trash and debris. So, I was kinda shocked to see that many come out of that small house.
The animals have all been taken to the Pennsylvania SPCA for medical evaluation.